HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2022-09-07COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. September 7, 2022
PRESENT: Acting Mayor Lewis Alderpersons (9) Brock, McGonigal, Nguyen, Brown, Gearhart, Barken, Mehler,
DeFendini, Cantelmo
OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb City Attorney – Lavine
City Controller – Thayer
Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn Chief of Staff – Vavra Director of Parking & Transportation – Hathaway Acting Fire Chief Covert
Planning and Development Director Nicholas
Planner – Kusznir Acting Police Chief – Joly Police Lieutenant Young Transportation Engineer - Cuddihy
Community Justice Center Project Director – Smiley
Director of Sustainability - Aguirre-Torres Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15th
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Barken – prepared statement for Privilege of the Floor prior to public comment. No Council member objected.
Quarterly Employee Recognition Award Rob Lily – Ithaca Youth Bureau (DPW) REPORTS OF MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS:
Veronica Pillar, Tompkins County Legislature reported on the following: Safe streets for all grant application Get from video
Facilities Infrastructure Committee to discuss what to do with a property on the 400 block of Tioga Street that the County owns. The dental building will be deconstructed and materials will be salvaged.
County Leg does not support changes to Section giving the underwriters veto power over the budget… PRESENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER 2022 AND 2023
WORKPLANS:
Community Justice Center Project Director Monalita Smiley presented the following information:
Get topics from the powerpoint presentation
Barken – what is the definition of the word “healing” what is the vision for that? What are the milestones? Utilizing the RPS website – asked the community how they identify
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trauma, and what do they think healing is (inter-generational trauma), how to hold safe spaces for people to feel heard and safe.
McGonigal – the trainings listed in the plan for IPD – will they be different from the ones
they are doing now? Yes – it will include the ones they are doing now as well as others that are suggested by IPD personnel. The budget numbers were created by other working group members. McG are there a weekly meeting between the City and County and CJC? Smiley – yes, there were weekly project meetings – Mayor - Faith is
attending – Laura attended for a while -looking for additional staff to attend.
Lewis – Lexipol – IPD policy development and training modules. Brock – the workplan describes a $160,000 for a traffic calming and control study…can’t
find the inclusion of this funding in the City 2022 budget – new to her. Smiley – included
in the master plan – page 48 – Vavra – will send the document to CC. Brock – would like to know more about this – hasn’t heard anything further about it. Brock – community healing plan – nebulous – looking forward to receiving the
comprehensive community healing plan so she can understand what is involved. The
budget seems very generous. Smiley – community healing sessions started in February but they were put on hold – building the plan as they go – working group is helping to identify who the stakeholders will be for the remaining part of the plan. Brock – people are being hired, money is being spent without a plan as to what the plan and
deliverables are…how do we know we’ve achieved success… How can Lexipol training
compliment the proposed training… Brock – approval of the workplan listed on the agenda cover sheet – but the Resolution doesn’t mention the approval of the workplan. Lewis – the Resolution includes payment
of an invoice for services already provided by Monalita – as well as the approval of the
2022 workplan. The budget figures are estimates and should be considered “up to” amounts and not the exact dollar figures. Lavine – CJC contract is structured….get from video…nothing is inappropriate about
approving the 2022 work plan…Resolution is approving releasing funds as detailed in
the 2022 workplan – does not include the approval of the actual workplan. Brown – healing = making the hurt parties whole again. It has allowed people to feel included in this movement – like your voice matters.
Brock – want to enable people to fee whole, included and like their voice matters. Part of that is action – close the circle to enable change. The need for expression, for dealing with trauma, …
Lewis – appreciation for Mona’s work and for submitting these plans – some of which
are still in development. 1.5 Resolution Approving 2022 Funding for Community Justice Center By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart
WHEREAS, following on the Governor’s Executive Order 203, one of the many steps
identified for potential City action was the creation of the Community Justice Center (CJC) as a jointly funded City/County collaborative department to: determine implementation priorities; develop budget impacts for the implementation of plan
elements; manage the implementation of the joint plan elements as approved by the
City of Ithaca and Tompkins County; receive, manage, and analyze data; provide coordination of the operation of the policing systems in our community; and provide reports to the City and County regarding the progress in implementing these changes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County agreed to the terms of a contract approved by Common Council on July 27, 2022 that the CJC would develop a workplan and deliver it to the City of Ithaca Common Council no later than September 15th, 2022 for approval; and
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WHEREAS, the budget of the CJC during its initial year is agreed not to exceed $276,906, of which the City’s not-to-exceed amount is $138,453 and the County’s is
$158,403, including $19,500 of County-only expense for Project Management Software.
These budgetary figures are for expenditure on joint City-County work only; and WHEREAS, the City has received an Invoice in the amount of $64,031.50 which represents staffing costs for the months January through June 2022, months that have
already transpired, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes the release of approved funds to the CJC for the 2022 Staffing and Operating Expenses as presented in the 2022 CJC Work Plan.
Carried Unanimously Lewis – approval of CJC 2022 Workplan tonight? McGonigal would like more time to study both plans. Cantelmo – leans toward voting next month – would like to further analyze the plans. Brown – approve tonight –
Brock – would like more information about what is included in the plan – such as the traffic study. Would like information about what has been conducted before. DeFendini – would support a motion today
Gearhart – very supportive of the work – procedurally, troubled that we are doing it on
the floor of Council – unless there is something time sensitive that required passage tonight. Lewis – come back in November when there is more specific budgetary information –
with another presentation and a Resolution.
Smiley – concerned that work will be delayed if there is not approval of the 2022 workplan. The deadlines would not be met for the year.
Motion to
By Alderperson Brown: Seconded by Alderperson Brown – time sensitive…for who…
Cantelmo – received the plans late Friday afternoon on a holiday weekend – would be
happy to vote in support of the 2022 plan. Smiley - These plans were shared with the City before Friday and before the City’s deadline of September 15th . Lavine – the contract specifies that Council will approve, amend, or disapprove by the end of the year.
McGonigal – Mona has a heavy lift and wants to get to work – George wants to do a good job and that means reading through the plan. Is most concerned about the traffic plan, but could support the remainder of the plan. Why can’t City consider approval in October vs. November.
Lewis – will work with Mona on the additional information that Council is requesting and work toward considering the plans in October. Please send comments and questions to Mona and/or Faith.
Smiley – thank you for having her, looks forward to hearing from you. PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
Janette Lynch – FLIC Michael Fenner – Encampments Zachary Winn – Reimaging Public Safety
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PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – MAYOR AND COUNCIL Mehler – responded to comments made regarding the encampments and the safety of the residents of Nates Floral Estates.
McGonigal – thanks to all of the speakers. Received an e-mail from a resident of Nates Floral Estates – very powerful. This is a priority issue in the City right now – the City needs to act. It is not safe for the residents of Nates, the people living in the encampments, and the businesses on Cherry Street. Would be happy to show members
of Council around the area if they are interested.
To Common Council re the illegal camping on the West End and the Lawlessness Being Allowed.
My concerns:
• screaming and physical violence 24/7
• public urination and defecation into the canal
• dogs off lease and menacing pedestrians/bicyclists
• fire arms going off after dark (not at all uncommon)
• vulnerable residents at Nate's Floral Estates being targeted and abused by
transients for shelter, food and alcohol (ask me about it. It happens)
• what the DEC calls "toxic bio waste" that must be cleaned by experts wearing
HAZMAT gear" being left EVERYWHERE and no HAZMAT suites to be found. I
am told by the City that no one is responsible to clean it up.
• fires being set for heat and cooking. (What could possibly go wrong?)
• human waste and used needles in and around the inlet and canals and what
used to be the "woods" and recreational areas.
• being harassed when I walk or drive on Cherry Street or Cecil Malone Dr.
• theft from my yard of anything that is portable (gas grills/propane
tanks/tools/lawn chairs/name it)
• increase in the rat population. Not only is this dangerous, it's expensive to make
the repairs these vermin do to skirting, insulation and the surroundings. Ask me.
• decrease in home sale value even in this inflated market
• fear to be outside after dark and get robbed and / or injured
I also fear for those who are in this situation who become prey to the others. Rape,
other assaults, stabbings, robbery, health risks of all sorts, deaths last summer, all what
I consider serious lawlessness concern me.
Please do not wait until the “i”s have dots and the “t’s are crossed. It’s too much.
Esther Herkowitz
94 Mary Street, Ithaca NY
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Barken – statement – freedom of the press – County administrator extending undue influence over a local media policy. FOIL requests – reign in remarks made by Riordan Hart – IPD can’t support the safety of EMS workers… IPD staffing concerns due to
Reimaging Public Safety….Bangs Ambulance…has directed their crews safety…calls for
overdose patients – free press…retaliatory actions – writer’s suspension…forced to alter an article…How do we heal? Lewis – reluctant to make statements about any other municipality…look for factual
information, caution to draw conclusions.
Brown – are we blaming RPS on the shortage of police hiring? The vacancies preceeded the RPS initiative – perhaps they can meet one on one. Many law enforcement agencies are experiencing staffing shortages.
McGonigal – we are down to 52 active officers. Thank you to the retired officers – Doane, Barksdale, Moore, - losing two very fine officers of color. Cliff Murphy retired yesterday – big loss – incredible public servant. Fire Chief Parsons retirement – genuinely cares about the City and the people in it – his staff – often gave up a position
to retain other staff. Thank you!
Brock – expressed appreciation to the residents and business owners of the West End – the outreach workers and the houseless residents. Mayor Trying to pull together a group to identify a compassionate solution – respects the urgency for action.
Brock – shares concerns if there are individuals of any municipalities trying to mold the media stories – corrections of facts is one thing, anything else should be done via an opposing opinion piece. The media should be free to report the facts. Echoes George’s statements about all of the city’s fabulous retirees. Looking at a big transition – greatest
asset is the workforce…
CONSENT AGENDA:
CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: 3.1 Youth Bureau – Request to Amend the 2022 Budget By Alderperson Gearhart: Seconded by Alderperson Mehler WHEREAS, the Ithaca City School District has agreed to give the Youth Bureau $5,000 in new funding for the Student Curriculum Review Program (SCRP) and
WHEREAS, the goal of this program is to bring middle and high school students together with teachers, so that students can build relationships and community with teachers, as well as ensure that curriculum and lessons are developed to be inclusive and meet the needs of students of diverse backgrounds, income levels, abilities, and
identities, and
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau staff will work closely with the SCRP students from the Ithaca City School District to pay students and assist them in this work; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2022 Youth Bureau budget as
follows:
Increase Revenues:
A7310-2705-1200 Youth Development Administration $ 5,000 $ 5,000
Increase Expenses:
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A7310-5120-1200 Part time/Seasonal $ 4,050 A7310-5425-1200 Office Supplies $ 203 A7310-5460-1200 Program Supplies $ 202
A7310-9030-1200 FICA/Medicare $ 310 A7310-9060-1200 Workers’ Compensation $ 235 $ 5,000 Carried Unanimously
3.2 PBZ& ED – Accept Congressionally Directed Spending – Downtown Ithaca Conference Center By Alderperson Gearhart: Seconded by Alderperson Mehler WHEREAS, Common Council has adopted resolutions committing the City to support the funding of the Downtown Ithaca Conference Center project with City hotel room
occupancy tax revenues, and provide a financial assistance agreement to support the
bond financing for the project; and WHEREAS, the conference center is currently on track to open in early 2024 and a successful conference center project will be an asset for the City of Ithaca and
Tompkins County, resulting in significant increased room tax and sales tax revenues;
the addition of new direct and indirect jobs; significant economic impact beyond center operations through the purchase of supplies and services; an estimated 22,000 new room nights county-wide as well as annual visitation of over 63,000; and
WHEREAS, the City applied for and was awarded $2,000,000 in federal funding through
the Congressionally-Directed Spending process in the 2022 federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, and Congress listed the City of Ithaca as the recipient of these funds in the Joint Explanatory Statement of the Act for the “Downtown Ithaca Conference Center and affordable housing” project; and
WHEREAS, only the City of Ithaca is allowed to apply for these funds which have been ‘earmarked’ for this project, but to access this federal grant award, the City must submit a formal grant application to HUD to obligate the federal funds for the project, and documentation of Common Council authorization to apply for and receive these funds is
a requirement of the formal application, and
WHEREAS, the conference center is currently under construction and is experiencing budget increases due to kitchen electrification, retail space fit-out, and increases in costs for furniture, fixtures and equipment and audio-visual equipment, and these
federal funds are needed to pay for these cost increases; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has an agreement with the Downtown Ithaca Local Development Corporation, LLC (DILDC) in which the DILDC is responsible for conference center operations, managing certain aspects of the conference center
capital project including those aspects that are the subject of this grant funding, and
leasing the conference center building from Vecino, the development entity that is constructing and will own the conference center building; and WHEREAS, the City intends to sub-contract with the DILDC to fulfill the terms of the US
Department of Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative
(HUD-EDI) grant; and WHEREAS, delays in the application and execution of a contract between HUD and the
City to formally obligate these funds would negatively impact the conference center
project, and City and DILDC staff are working to expedite the application, contract, and required federal environmental review processes; and WHEREAS, administration of the contract between the City of Ithaca and HUD and
administration of the subcontract between the City of Ithaca and the DILDC will be
managed by the City’s Department of Planning and Development with support from DILDC staff; and WHEREAS, no match is required for the grant and no additional City funding beyond room tax funds that have already been committed by the City to the project or are the
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subject of separate annual room tax budgets, is required as a match for this grant; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council supports the City’s grant application to obligate and
access the $2,000,000 in HUD EDI grant funded allocated by Congress to the City of Ithaca for the “Downtown Ithaca Conference Center and affordable housing” project through the 2022 federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby establishes Capital Project #914 Ithaca
Downtown Conference Center HUD-EDI Grant” in the amount of $2,000,000 for implementation of HUD-EDI grant funding for the conference center project and be it further
RESOLVED, That funds needed for said Capital Project shall be derived entirely from
HUD-EDI grant funding, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor or her designee, subject to review by the City Attorney, is authorized to enter agreements with HUD and with the Downtown Ithaca Local
Development Corporation for implementation of this grant funding, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby authorizes appropriation of said HUD-EDI grant funds to support the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center in compliance with executed City agreements with HUD and DILDC.
Carried Unanimously PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Recusal – Barken discussion and vote
4.1 East Hill Fire Station Urban Renewal Project - Approve IURA Disposition Agreement By Alderperson Lewis: Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart WHEREAS, the Common Council for the City of Ithaca (“City”) authorized issuance of a
2021 Request For Expressions of Interest (“RFEI”) seeking proposals to redevelop or
relocate the East Hill Fire Station (“EHFS”) located at 309 College Avenue in a manner
that meet fire protection needs, enhances Collegetown, and financially benefits the City,
and
WHEREAS, in response to the RFEI, City staff entered into negotiations with 311 CA
Associates, LLC (“311CA” or “Sponsor”) resulting in execution of an option agreement
dated February 22, 2022 (“Option Agreement”) that permits, but does not require, the
City to sell 309 College Avenue in exchange for two parcels located at 403 Elmwood
Avenue and 408 Dryden Road in addition to cash consideration of $5.1 million dollars to
be paid to the City on the terms contained within the Option Agreement, and
WHEREAS, the Option Agreement anticipates the City will construct a new fire station
on adjoining properties to be acquired at 403 Elmwood Avenue and 408 Dryden Road,
and
WHEREAS, a negotiated sale of city-owned property is authorized only if undertaken as
an urban renewal project in accordance with urban renewal law, and
WHEREAS, the City requested the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (“IURA”) to
independently review the terms of the Option Agreement and recommend a proposed
disposition and development agreement in the best interest of the City to redevelop or
relocate the EHFS, and
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2022, the City authorized transfer of the current Fire Station #2 property located at 309 College Avenue, Ithaca, NY, to the IURA via an option
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agreement for the purpose of structuring a proposed urban renewal project to construct a new East Hill fire station, and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 2022, the IURA accepted transfer of 309 College Avenue and
assignment of the Option Agreement for the purposes of structuring a proposed urban renewal project, and WHEREAS, on June 23, 2022, pursuant to section 507 of General Municipal Law, the
IURA designated 311 as a Qualified and Eligible Sponsor to undertake the East Hill Fire
Station urban renewal project involving acquisition of 309 College Avenue, and WHEREAS, on July 28, 2022, the IURA, acting as lead agency for the environmental review of the property transfer phase of the East Hill Urban Renewal project,
determined that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the environment
and issued a negative declaration, and WHEREAS, on July 28, 2022, the IURA adopted a resolution approving a Disposition and Development Agreement (“DDA”) for the East Hill Fire Station urban renewal
project to facilitate construction of a new fire station and redevelopment of 309 College
Avenue subject to the following terms: 1. Property Transfer – Compliance with terms of the City/Sponsor Option Agreement executed on February 22, 2022, for sale of property located at 309
College Avenue for $5.1 million plus acquisition of adjoining parcels at 403
Elmwood Avenue and 408 Dryden Road for City construction of a new fire station; 2. Complete Segmented Environmental Review – establish as a precondition for transfer of the 309 College Avenue deed to Sponsor either completion of
environmental review of the City fire station construction project or formal
postponement of city construction on acquired property; 3. Property Tax Revenues – In the event property at 309 College Avenue becomes tax exempt by any means other than a Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) approved by the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (TCIDA),
property owner shall be required to make payments equal to property taxes that
would have been due. This requirement shall be enforced through a 20-year Sponsor/IURA Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT”) agreement that commences upon the date of transfer of the 309 College Avenue property, and
WHEREAS, the Agency-approved DDA is subject to approval by the City of Ithaca
Common Council, which vote may occur only after (1) publication of a notice of the proposed price to be paid by the sponsor to acquire property and all other essential terms and conditions of such sale, and (2) a public hearing not less than ten days after publication of such notice, and
WHEREAS, the notice was published in the August 5, 2022, edition of the Ithaca Journal, and a public hearing on the proposed property disposition was held on August 17, 2022, before the City’s Planning & Economic Development Committee; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council for the City of Ithaca hereby approves the IURA-proposed Disposition and Development Agreement between the IURA and 311 CA Associates, LLC for the East Hill Urban Renewal Project, including the sale of 309
College Avenue, and be it further
RESOLVED, Property to be acquired by the IURA at 403 Elmwood Avenue and 408 Dryden Road shall be conveyed to the City at no cost for construction of a fire station, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the net proceeds from IURA sale of real property shall be paid to the City.
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Get Parsons’ explanation of status of project. Design, reduced carbon footprint, increased construction costs, construction start projected for March 2023,
Brock – traditional or does it include a charging station – Parsons’ building with the intent
of having those modifications coming at a later date – will not include a charging station until there is an electric fire truck….geothermal heating and cooling… Ayes (9) Brock, McGonigal, Nguyen, Brown, Gearhart, Mehler,
DeFendini, Cantelmo, Lewis
Nays (0) Recusals (1) Barken Carried
CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: 5.1 Renewal of TCAT Transportation Agreement By Alderperson Cantelmo: Seconded by Alderperson Brown WHEREAS, on November 7, 1990, the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County, and Cornell University entered into an agreement for the design of a regional transit facility, and
WHEREAS, on October 9, 1991, the City, County and Cornell entered into a 20-year construction and operation agreement for the new transit facility, and WHEREAS, on April 1, 1998, the City, County and Cornell entered into an agreement to
create a TCAT joint venture to provide public transportation services, and
WHEREAS, on January 1, 2005, a Transportation Agreement was signed among the three parties and TCAT to end the TCAT joint venture and have the operations assumed by a single employer, TCAT, Inc., with the agreement running through
October 9, 2021, and was thereafter extended for one additional year through October
9, 2022, and WHEREAS, on February 12, 2018, an agreement was signed between the City and County
regarding the ownership of the transit facility, and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Agreement is set to expire in October of this year, and WHEREAS, the City, County and Cornell would like to renew the Transportation
Agreement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes the Mayor to sign a renewal of the current Transportation Agreement, as amended in a manner substantially similar to the amendments included herewith.
*Get amended language from Ari or Cantelmo
Lewis – meeting of underwriters – the transportation agreement expires this year, was extended one year. Lavine – Section 10.1 – shall continue until October 9, …Get from video or Ari – agreed to a 20 year term but could be as short as 10 years…6:17 pm
email from yesterday with most up-to-date language.
Lewis – not complete agreement of all 3 underwriters to the agreement…Mayor serves as Chair of the TCAT Board – will yield to the will of Council in reviewing this revision – Ari and Steve have been part of the negotiating team. ..Impact of Section 6.3
Lavine – what happens in the event that TCAT spends more or incurs more in liabilities
than it has in revenues…Cornell and the City support those costs as equal partners (along with the County)….could be presented to the City as a bill that the City …Council approval or not – get from video.
Thayer – the City does not have unlimited financial resources. It is important that Common Council protect those resources at all costs. The proposal would …get from
Steve/video – would allow Council to look at the City’s comprehensive financial status
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Let the TCAT Board spend city funds without the City’s approval or allow Council to make those financial decisions.
Lewis – all 3 underwriters strongly support TCAT – a vital service to the community.
McGonigal – the County voted unanimously to stay with the original language of Section 6.3. Has this scenario ever occurred? With the new language, would it be possible for one of the underwriters to say that they are not going to pay for budget overages and the remaining could become the liability of the other 2 parties? Lavine – if the other 2 parties wanted to pay for the additional expenses they could if one decided not to.
Cornell is insisting on the amendments, the County does not support the amendments – the City has to decide which side they are on.
Brock – TCAT’s annual budget is approved by the representatives of the 3 underwriters. TCAT has reserves. Lavine – Bylaws provision regarding Board representative votes (2 out of 3) – not a contract provision. One of the City’s representatives is not a member
of Council or City staff. Brock - TCAT has no bonding authority or taxing ability.
Supports the County’s position – that all three underwriters are committed to supporting TCAT. Hope that members of TCAT are included in the negotiations moving forward.
DeFendini – echoes Alderperson Brock’s comments – agrees with the County’s position. Concerned about the stability of TCAT as a public good. Concerned about
awarding veto power to any of the underwriters.
Mehler – City does not own TCAT – we are spending taxpayer dollars – why wouldn’t we have a provision in place that would allow Council to review any funding provisions for budget deficits. Let Council decide how much to pay if they are able to pay.
Brown – Barken recusal – why Laura and Ducson don’t need to recuse themselves.
Lewis – did recuse herself from a TCAT meeting when they went into Executive Session
to discuss this agreement.
Lavine – good question – TCAT is an unusual circumstance as the City helped to create TCAT and recommends a 3rd of its board for membership. Council has almost always
had at least one member serve on the TCAT board and haven’t historically recused
themselves from budget approvals.
Cantelmo – appreciate the merits of the arguments but the bottom line, is that TCAT is a public good and he’s not willing to walk away from TCAT if there is not a preferred outcome.
Gearhart – clarification of language – if 2 of the 3 underwriters agreed to fund the deficit,
would it mandate that the costs are shared by all 3 parties. Lavine -
Get from video
McGonigal – supports the County’s position – TCAT hasn’t overspent their budget in 30 years – the idea that there would be a huge deficit in one year is unlikely – as the Board is composed of representatives of the underwriters.
Brock – City should pay greater attention to the appointment of representatives, require regular updates to Council so unexpected expenditures do not occur. Lewis - Board members represent TCAT when they are serving on the Board. The underwriters recommend members – the Board approves membership. Communication can be improved. The City can’t instruct the representatives how to vote – they can
encourage…a new facility could cost tens of millions of dollars. Brock – SJC example.
An option to not vote tonight – let the underwriters speak again and bring the Resolution back to the October 5th meeting.
Nguyen – agrees with Cynthia, Jorge & George, - all 14 County Legislature members agreed to leave the language the same. Dropped the ball on communication with
Council including the new fare box issue. Up to the challenge of maintaining the responsibility to support TCAT in the future.
Mehler – vote tonight – supports amended language.
DeFendini – defer the vote to discuss further
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Brown – willing to vote tonight
Cantelmo – thinks that we should vote tonight – would support a 2/3rd stop gap method
Mehler –
A vote on the Resolution moved as written updated as of yesterday resulted as follows:
Ayes (7) Gearhart, Barken, Mehler, DeFendini, Cantelmo, Brown, Lewis
Nays (3) Nguyen, McGonigal, Brock
Carried
5.2 PBZ & ED – Authorization to Receive a Grant from Park Foundation to Support the Ithaca Green New Deal By Alderperson Cantelmo: Seconded by Alderperson Barken WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has demonstrated its desire and commitment to be a leader in sustainability and social equity, as exemplified by the adoption of the Ithaca
Green New Deal (IGND); and WHEREAS, key objectives of the IGND are to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from economic activity and to address historical inequities, social injustice and economic inequality; and
WHEREAS, the IGND currently includes at least twelve different programs necessary to achieve these objectives, with all of them requiring constant interaction with and feedback from the community; and
WHEREAS, the IGND requires the development of a web-based platform (website) to increase interaction and gather feedback from the community, and the cost associated with such platform exceeds the funds currently allocated to the IGND; and WHEREAS, the development and implementation of all programs associated with the
IGND require support and technical understanding of technology, finance, and climate justice; and WHEREAS, the sustainability staff is currently at a limit in terms of available hours to devote to this effort; and
WHEREAS, the results and deliverables of the sustainability spring and summer internship programs, with participation of graduate students from both Cornell University and Ithaca College, demonstrated to yield the necessary results; therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes staff to receive a $70,000 grant from Park Foundation, with the purpose of funding the following activities:
• $25,000 for the development of a new IGND interactive website, to be developed
by a third party selected through an open competitive process.
• $45,000 for a year-long paid internship program, including 3 to 4 graduate
students to support technical aspects of the IGND implementation, committing a
combined 48-60 hours per week for the following 12 months.
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes staff to issue an RFP for the selection of an interactive web-based platform, and be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes a year-long sustainability internship
program for the period of September 2022 – August 2023, managed by the Director of
Sustainability and supervised by the Director of Planning Building Zoning and Economic Development, and be it further
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RESOLVED, That staff will periodically report to Common Council progress on both the development of the web-based platform and the internship program, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the 2022 Authorized Planning Department Budget be hereby
amended as follows to account for said grant: Increase Revenue Account: A8020-2705 Planning Gifts and Donations $ 70,000
Increase Appropriation Accounts: A8020-5120 Planning Hourly P/T $ 45,000 A8020-5435 Planning Contracts $ 25,000 $ 70,000
Barken – the Ithaca Green New Deal – this website….get from video IRA… What is Luis’ vision and how will this website…
Luis Aguirre-Torres – website development, the IRA the possibility is open to do
something that has not been done before…shares that level of …keeping an eye on all of the possibilities that the Inflation Reduction Act brings Brown – hire college students for internships – how about making sure it is inclusive
with people in our community to help build that website. Aguirre – Torres – competitive
process to selection website development. Pilot program to hire graduate students to assist with program work (year long internships) Barken – website – a way to harness new businesses to come in to Ithaca to…
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
5.3 Approval of Capital Project to Enable the City of Ithaca to Apply for the “Federal Safe Streets and Roads for All” Planning Grant Opportunity By Alderperson Cantelmo: Seconded by Alderperson DeFendini WHEREAS, in 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal grant program, with up to one billion dollars
appropriated in FY22, and with a local match of 20% of the project cost; and WHEREAS, local municipalities are eligible to apply for funding to create a detailed transportation safety “Action Plan”, either individually or in collaboration with other municipalities; and
WHEREAS, the FY22 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO, available here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=340385), states that applications with multiple municipalities partnering to create a plan will be more competitive for funding than applications from a single municipality; and
WHEREAS, successful creation of an Action Plan in this grant cycle would make the partnering municipalities eligible to apply for implementation grants in future years of this grant program, either individually or in collaboration again; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca would like to be the “Lead Applicant” on this planning grant application, with multiple neighboring municipalities expressing interest in applying as “Joint Applicants”, including the following in alphabetical order:
• Town of Caroline
• Town of Danby
• Town of Dryden
• Town of Ithaca
• Town of Lansing
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• Town of Newfield
• Village of Cayuga Heights
• Village of Lansing
WHEREAS, the role of the City of Ithaca as Lead Applicant will be to complete the online application on behalf of all partnering municipalities for FY22 funding, with an application due date of September 15, 2022; and
WHEREAS, all named municipalities above are currently presenting resolutions/memos to their respective governing bodies, requesting to participate in this project and agreeing to reimburse the City of Ithaca for a share of the local match; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Engineering staff request a budget to fund the planning project in whole at $750,000, to be eventually reimbursed 80% by the grant, with individual municipalities reimbursing the City of Ithaca for their portion of the 20% local match, with the City of Ithaca responsible for a local match maximum of $75,000; now,
therefore be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby establishes Capital Project # 915 for an amount not to exceed $750,000 to pay for the transportation safety Action Plan project, with the understanding that the project will proceed only if the City is awarded the SS4A
grant. The grant would reimburse 80% of the project cost, with the City of Ithaca and
the other neighboring municipalities providing the local match of 20%. The maximum local match the City of Ithaca may provide is $75,000. Cuddihy – the Village of Dryden has also joined in – almost all have already passed
Resolutions to say that they are committed to this initiative. Tompkins County is willing
to contribute 10,000 as a match, and DoT will contribute 50,000 match. After recalculating the local match will be under 40,000. Creation of a Safety Action Plan – would be eligible to apply for implementation funding for safety projects after the Action Plan.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously REPORT OF THE CITY CONTROLLER:
City Controller Thayer reported on the following:
2023 Budget development 2022 Sales tax – 10 million collected to date 14% ahead of 2021 activity Parking
Bldg
Fine revenue – Lots of staffing issues in current environment – retirements – trend will continue CPI is high 8.5% in July / 9.1% June / 8.3% now Higher costs for all city operations
Get from video REPORTS FROM COUNCIL & STAFF Reports of Common Council Liaisons:
Brown – SS is working hard – doing amazing work
Motion to Extend the Meeting By Alderperson Mehler: Seconded by Alderperson Barken
RESOLVED, That the meeting be extended to 10:30 pm.
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A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (8) Brock, Nguyen, Brown, Barken, Gearhart, DeFendini, Mehler, Lewis
Nays (1) Cantelmo
Carried 8-1 Alderperson McGonigal absent from vote
NEW BUSINESS: Motion to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss the Proposed Acquisition, Sale, or Lease of Real Property By Alderperson Cantelmo: Seconded by Alderperson Mehler RESOLVED, That Common Council enter into Executive Session to Discuss the
Proposed Acquisition, Sale, or Lease of Real Property ….. Get from video
Carried Unanimously Motion to Extend the Meeting By Alderperson Lewis: Seconded by Alderperson
RESOLVED, That the meeting be extended to 10:50 pm.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (6) Brock, Nguyen, Gearhart, Mehler, Lewis, McGonigal Nays (4) Cantelmo, Brown, Barken, DeFendini
Carried
RECONVENE: Common Council reconvened into Regular Session with no formal action taken.
ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Laura Lewis City Clerk Acting Mayor